Amnesty: Sudan's RSF Committed War Crimes in El Fasher Siege
Amnesty International reports RSF committed war crimes during the El Fasher siege in Sudan.
Why it matters: This detailed documentation aids legal professionals and human rights advocates in pursuing accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated by the RSF.
- Amnesty published its report on July 1, 2026, covering RSF crimes during the El Fasher siege in Sudan.
- The RSF siege lasted from early 2024 to October 2025, ending with a three-day assault killing over 6,000 people.
- The report cites specific RSF crimes: murder, torture, rape, sexual slavery, forced transfers, and ethnic cleansing.
- Three RSF commanders are named for responsibility, including Al-Fateh Abdullah Idris and Major General Gedo Hamdan.
Amnesty International's July 1, 2026 report provides exhaustive evidence of international law violations by Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during the siege and capture of El Fasher in North Darfur.
The siege, which started in early 2024 and ended in October 2025 with a three-day assault, resulted in the deaths of more than 6,000 people. Amnesty's investigation included 247 interviews, 39 with children, documenting crimes against humanity such as murder, torture, sexual violence, sexual slavery, enslavement, and forcible transfers.
The report highlights the ethnic cleansing of predominantly Zaghawa villages in the Abu Zerega area as among the gravest violations. It specifically attributes command responsibility to RSF leaders Al-Fateh Abdullah Idris ("Abu Lulu"), Major General Gedo Hamdan Ahmed Mohamed ("Abu Shouk"), and Lieutenant Colonel Abbas Khater Bakhit.
Human rights legal experts emphasize that such named allegations provide a clear basis for future prosecutions under international criminal law. Lawyers and advocates can use this report to support accountability efforts and contribute to ongoing international investigations.
The conflict in Sudan, ongoing since April 2023, has cumulatively caused at least 59,000 deaths, displaced 13 million people, and forced over 30 million into urgent humanitarian need, including famine risk.
Legal scholars note the challenge of enforcing accountability amid complex conflict dynamics but stress the importance of detailed documentation like Amnesty's report in advancing justice. A United Nations-appointed independent expert recently reaffirmed the need to address RSF crimes to restore peace and justice in the region.
By the numbers:
- 6,000+ — deaths during the three-day assault to capture El Fasher
- 247 — interviews conducted during Amnesty's eight-month investigation
- 59,000+ — total lives lost in the broader Sudan conflict since April 2023
Yes, but: Although the report names specific RSF commanders, enforcement of accountability remains difficult due to ongoing conflict and limited access for international legal bodies.
What's next: International courts and UN bodies are expected to review Amnesty's findings as part of broader investigations into war crimes in Sudan.